Sam Webb Clarifies the Current Situation
Sam Webb ($) has a Webblog up in which he describes Signgate as "at a crossroads." Details as always in the full article, but the core issue is that B1G commisar Tony Pettiti is new at his job, and therefore doesn't have the political standing (or interest) to push back agains the "majority" of other B1G schools that want Harbaugh's head on a platter. Ono, the Regents, and Warde Manuel are on Harbaugh's side, but the other schools don't buy the "rogue staffer" line and want Harbaugh fired.
The problem, from our standpoint, is that Pettiti and the other schools do have the power to unilaterally punish Harbaugh and Michigan over Michigan's opposition. So what happens next? (These are my deductions based on Webb's article, Balas' article, and others.)
- The Stalions statement exonerating Harbaugh is a welcome development in that it buttresses the rogue staffer argument. I wouldn't be surprised if this was something that Ono/M leadership persuaded Stalions' lawyer to put out.
- Michigan may agree to suspend Harbaugh for 2 games in order to appease the mob. But they would only do so, I suspect, if it would actually appease the mob. If the mob will only be satiated by Harbaugh being canned, then Michigan will fight that. But Michigan may not win the fight, because the other B1G schools, if united, could force an outcome upon Michigan.
- Michigan's passive PR strategy ("we can't comment on an ongoing investigation") has been a mistake. Michigan needed to use KGB-like tactics to leak countervailing information to support the rogue staffer argument. It has clearly taken hold among the opposition media and B1G opponents that the entire program was involved in illegal scouting, not just Stalions, and this narrative needs to be rebutted vigorously.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:36 AM ^
Yay. Another football Saturday with a dark cloud
November 4th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
This is all about dealing a death blow to your biggest competitor and has nothing to do with stealing signs at this point. That's becoming pretty obvious.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
Agree. Other schools want Harbaugh fired because a low level staffer may or may not have broken a rule about in person scouting? It's still debatable that any rules were actually broken. The hysteria is ridiculous.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
Yea it sounds like Ryan Day really did trump up an investigation and embellished it because he was afraid to play Harbaugh, and the big ten is leaning towards letting him. Wild.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:33 AM ^
"trump up an investigation"
Like the media with Trump (politics aside)
November 4th, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Your comment is the opposite of "politics aside". Don't be an idiot.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
FFS keep your QAnon bullcrap to yourself, dumbass.
November 4th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Lol hey I did not vote for him I was just making a joke
November 4th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
Exactly how many schools does it take to remove a fellow b10 member from the conference once they beat you? Maybe add in votes from other disgruntled conferences while you are at it. Seems fair.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
I don't remember the Big Ten ever doing anything to Penn State for their cover-up of Jerry and to MSU for their cover-up of Larry?
November 4th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
And it’s also about rushing to deal a death blow without any process that is the most concerning. It’s a witch hunt at this point and they are all out for blood.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^
I assume that the university presidents are more level-headed, and if we don't budge, the conferences will not do anything.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
It's only a dark cloud if you let it. I was really bummed out past two weeks, but I got it out of my system (plus news that there's no evidence it went higher than connor shitstain).
Go Michigan, fuck ohio, and sorry Purdue you happen to be in the way and we're going to run you off the road.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
Don't apologize to Purdue. Their coach ran his mouth fully knowing that sign stealing us legal and the gain from in person scouting is marginal. Leave the starters in on defense the entire game and let Tuttle, et al pass at will after JJ exits.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:37 AM ^
I can't imagine the "we'll take some punishment" thing makes any sense. There needs to be a careful and methodical investigation first, to really uncover every little thing that needs uncovering.
Why? Because if they do the early punishment (say two-game suspension), it may be fine for a while, but let's say some other little tidbits get drip drip dripped a few weeks later. Then the smear campaign will take hold again, and worse, the people behind will be able to say "look, they already admitted some guilt, and this makes it worse, so more punishment is needed."
U of M should insist on a proper process, not a PR-based lynch mob.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:46 AM ^
Totally agree. We can debate whether or not Michigan handled this properly overall to this point. PR has clearly been bad. If Santa, Warde and the Regents have what they believe are the facts, and are still comfortable with Harbaugh, then we move on as is.
If the Big Ten attempts a punishment in-season, which is unprecedented, then the University should sue them in Federal Court. Either way, Harbaugh needs a new contract now.
No one ever said being the big dog in College Football was going to be easy. There are many many factions who dislike Michigan and Harbaugh for various reasons. We need to stick together and fight this! If we win on the field and give nothing to our detractors, then we will come out of this stronger than before.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:02 AM ^
Could the University sue them in Federal Court? (They should if they could). I thought the bylaws give the commish power to levy a 2 game suspension.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
They do. Which is why OSU by proxy with B1G is pushing for a 2-game suspension from Michigan, then the commissioner can hand out another 2 games so he's out for the OSU game.
Ono should be on the phone with the SEC.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:41 AM ^
If the rumor is true that OSU hired a PI who broke laws to get info leaked out in a way that the media can run wild with and the BigTen is okay with it we should leave the BigTen.
MSU would have to reinvent themselves. OSU to a lesser extent.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:23 AM ^
OSU has reinvented themselves already.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
No, they are who we thought they are.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Yeah, i think everyone would agree breaking actual federal laws would be much worse than breaking an NCAA rule.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
and ACC.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:07 AM ^
According to Dan Wetzel, even if Michigan sues it wouldn’t reverse the decision in the present. The B1G bylaws do not have an appeal process like the NCAA. That’s why people wanted the conference to step in immediately and not wait for the NCAA ruling. If he says Harbaugh and Michigan are guilty then we’re screwed.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
My reading of “not appealable” means not appealable in the Big Ten. They can sue in court, especially for a temporary injunction.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:14 AM ^
If it plays out this way, this seemingly would be an unprecedented move by Petitti six months in as the new commish, especially if Michigan got a temporary injunction and was allowed to play out the rest of the season. He's essentially putting his career on the line without further gathering facts and seeing this investigation through. As far as where this stands, there's no (or lack of) incriminating evidence against Harbaugh and his assistants, unless BIG is withholding more evidence, which is doubtful and wouldn't make sense. Unreal.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Seriously, is Ohio State crazy??
This would set a precedent that will blow up in their own faces.
That SEC-level rule-skirting program could never stand up to intense scrutiny. And intense scrutiny they will get. We will put a microscope so far up their ass we can see their molars.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
This is kind of what I was worried about the other day. He isn’t really putting his job on the line if 13 school presidents are demanding he take action and only 1 is trying to fight it. Michigan is outnumbered 13 to 1 at every level. Coaches, ADs, presidents.
At this point it doesn’t matter what happened if the whole conference is out to get you.
staying in the conference is not tenable if this is how it’s going to be.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
I am not sure if it is all coaches and all ADs. I know it was said to be 5. May be more. It is unclear if it all ADs either.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
If he recklessly/prematurely imposes punishment without due process, and more evidence comes out that exonerates Michigan, specifically Harbaugh and the assistant coaches, I doubt he survives this no matter who's behind him, since ultimately, the responsibility/decision lies squarely on Petitti. It's an unprecedented move that will have unprecedented consequences. He might as well have a resignation letter prepared, if this comes to fruition.
November 4th, 2023 at 12:09 PM ^
It’s not a legal proceeding, dude. Due process isn’t required. Soarty players were suspended without “due process.”
November 4th, 2023 at 1:30 PM ^
In that case due process was a mere formality when they had clear video evidence of the tunnel assault and there is no gray area of rules broken.
November 4th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Except that he risks losing one of your biggest institutions. Probably THE biggest, with regard to revenue. That’s a bad look and a bad deal if you’re Petitti.
Big Ten starts to look a lot like the Pac 12 or Big 12 without Michigan, doesn’t it?
November 4th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
I can also see Michigan suing Big Ten for damage if all evidence is obtained illegally.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:46 AM ^
I know the Warde apologists will get enflamed but the apathy is his to own.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
I am not a Warde apologist, but often will defend the actions of the AD because so few understand what the responsibilities of the role are.
Being quiet when you don’t have many facts has been the right move to this point.
That has all changed with the meetings this week and, hopefully, with the confirmation of OSU/Day hiring a PI firm.
The situation is now at a point Warde needs to make a statement and it needs to be absolutely clear.
- Michigan stands behind Harbaugh, it’s coaches, and players 100%
- Michigan has always stood for doing things the right way
- Michigan will not bend to these unprecedented efforts to undermine one of its programs and people
- OSU and other B1G institutions have tried to set a very dangerous standard for competing within the conference
- Michigan will always push back against, and seek to deliver the truth, when confronted with this type of disingenuous effort
The rest of the B1G is going after Harbaugh because they can’t beat him. That is now perfectly clear. Now is the time for the AD and President to have a firm voice in the void of conference leadership.
November 4th, 2023 at 7:54 AM ^
Michigan simply can't accept a mob mentality approach based on allegations played out in the press without factual basis. Accept nothing in the way of punishment as that is tantamount to an admission of guilt.
What ever happened to due process?
Should the B1G act without due process, take them to court, ask for a TRO and launch an investigation into the PI firm(s) who have methodically leaked information to the press and who hired them. If there are improprieties then go after the conference, the PI firms, Day if he is found to be the genesis of the issue, for damages to the brand.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:04 AM ^
Whatever happened to due process? Have you lived through the last 10 years. Almost everything in this country is governed by mob rule.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:11 AM ^
Only 10 years? Buddy, I believe you need to brush up on your US history.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:13 AM ^
There is no question that, beginning with #MeToo, this feature has accelerated considerably.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:21 AM ^
Which pales in comparison to the number of people literally murdered by "mob justice" throughout the years.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
I think he meant for rich white guys.
November 4th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Ok, guilty as charged. I’m not talking about an actual mob of human beings killing a person, I’m talking about media driven cancellation.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:14 AM ^
Exactly. They shouldn't let other B1G schools bully them. If Harbaugh did something wrong, give him proper punishment. If he didn't stick by him. If they suspend him without due process, file for an injunction in the courts.
I am done with B1G schools. I say leave and never play OSU and MSU. Fuck them. Let us see MSU survive without playing UM. This has gone beyond rivalry.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
I’m in agreement with this sentiment. Most of the B1G hates us. If they are successful in this it is time to explore taking our skills to the SEC. Something I thought I’d never say living in SEC country.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
No SEC. But we could go rescue the ACC. Some of the east coast Big Ten teams might also "come home" with us.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
There is no reason not to talk to both ACC and SEC.
November 4th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
as a florida resident I would love to see Michigan move to the SEC.
November 4th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
I'd love to see it just for the late November snow games against Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
November 4th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
Yeah that would be so awesome to compete against the biggest cheaters with the best recruiting behind them? No thanks.